Solar System

What is the Solar System?

The Solar System is a collection of celestial bodies bound by the gravitational pull of the Sun, which is at its center. It includes planets, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary dust and gas.

Planets

The sun

    
                The Sun is a star, about 4.6 billion years old.
		It contains 99.86% of the mass of the Solar System.
		Its gravity keeps all planets and objects in orbit.
		Energy from the Sun powers life on Earth and drives the climate and weather.
 

. Moons (Natural Satellites)

 
		Definition: Moons are celestial bodies that orbit planets or dwarf planets.
		Variety: Some are small and irregularly shaped; others are large and spherical.
		Interesting Moons:
		Europa (Jupiter): Has a smooth icy surface, believed to hide an ocean beneath—potential for life.
		Titan (Saturn): Has a thick nitrogen-rich atmosphere and lakes of liquid methane.
		Ganymede (Jupiter): Largest moon in the Solar System, even bigger than Mercury.
		Number: Jupiter has 95+ moons, Saturn 150+, Uranus 27, Neptune 14, and Earth has 1.
 

Dwarf Planets & Beyond

Dwarf planets are celestial bodies orbiting the Sun that are massive enough to be nearly round, but have not cleared the neighborhood around their orbit (a key difference from major planets).

• *Ceres:* Located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
• *Pluto:* Famous former ninth planet, located in the Kuiper Belt.
• *Haumea, Makemake, and Eris:* All located in the trans-Neptunian region (beyond Neptune).